Although the fact that the dengue virus is considered a global threat for centuries now, scientists still know little about how the virus infects cells and causes diseases. New researches have begun to shed a little light to this medical mystery such as how the virus damages cells and how the immune system in turn responds to this attack. Recently, scientists supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), have been and are still trying various methods on developing vaccines against the deadly disease. There are researches that focus on weakened versions of the dengue virus as potential vaccine candidates not only against dengue but also against other related viruses. Other projects are trying to develop vaccines using DNA, proteins, and viral vectors. Others still focus on preventing mosquitoes from transmitting the dengue virus.

Many of these projects are certainly remarkable and promising and we hope that one day we will be able to benefit from one if not all of these worthy medical pursuits.

Source: NIH

There may be hope for dengue cure after all. Unfortunately, we all still have to wait a few more years � well, until 2012. That�s how long until the vaccine Tetravalent, manufactured by drug company Sanofi will be ready to be submitted for approval.

According to reports of the drug trial conducted in the United States, the vaccine was found to be 100% effective against all four serotypes of the virus that are responsible for the deadly dengue fever. Sanofi plans also to do clinical trials of said vaccine in Asia and Latin America. Now isn�t this good news?

Source: News Medical

The mosquito scourge is dependent on certain environmental conditions to survive and our meddling with nature as in the case of once arid lands, turning them into lush farmland may be responsible for spreading the disease. Mosquitoes thrive in tropical environments and with many tropical areas already infected, taming other places that used to be too harsh for them, where rainwater is so precious we try to collect each and every drop turning them into havens for the virus carrying mosquito. (more…)

The outbreaks of many diseases that used to be contained in isolated incidents has become a thing of the past, thanks to modern travel, mostly by air which can reach all corners of the world in less than a day. The recent outbreak of swine flu, a totally different virus more akin to the bird-flu outbreak we had was a first time test of a virus that spread so fast it got out of the containment level before authorities could react. Weaknesses have been exposed and the many gaps of even the best funded government’s health services put to the test. In the end, the world was unprepared for the outbreak which has added to the many problem super-bugs we are now dealing from dengue, avian and swine flu among some of the most recent. (more…)

Researchers have come up with a vaccine that is effective against the four strains of the deadly disease that has proven effective on trials using monkeys. Annually, there are a reported million cases of infection that comes mostly from the tropics and people who have been to such areas. Two of the four types are deadly, hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome the tetravalent vaccine hopes to address. Proteins from all four viral strains were combined along with an adenovirus agent that resulted in the vaccine that promises to be the best yet.
(more…)

Image Source: www.library.thinkquest.org
The rate of deaths associated with dengue fever is now becoming less. But this does not mean that we should not put concern on it. Many of my friends had dengue and according to them, it is not easy. We should keep in mind that dengue fever is fatal and it must be prevented.
As what people who are associated with the health department say, we must prevent it. And this is prevented by particularly, keeping our homes clean—inside and outside.
Aedes Aegypti, the kind of mosquito that carries the disease, lays their eggs in stagnant water which is found in our homes. Change the water in flower vases every other day to prevent the mosquitoes from laying their egg there. And keep the water containers covered,.
For yourself, see to it that you apply mosquito repellant lotion. Several are available in the market with variations of scents.
Bear in mind that prevention is better than cure.

We all know that there is no known immunity or vaccine against Dengue, but we also know that it is a possibility waiting to become a reality. The CIGB project might just be the answer we are all looking for. In coordination with Mayra Mune, a molecular immunologist  has evaluated the use of recombinant protein found in yeast Pichia pastor. This can be the key in developing a vaccine as it is observed that there is a rise both in neutralizing antibodies against dengue as well as other tropical viruses. If this pursues, the world can say goodbye to one of its serial killers.